Gel sealing device

ABSTRACT

A gel sealing device includes a gel sealing block ( 5 ) which provides a sealing section ( 22 ) through which the elongate parts ( 13, 14 ) extend. The gel sealing block ( 5 ) includes an upper flange ( 11 ) and a lower flange ( 12 ) with a support section ( 11   a,    12   a,    12   b ) disposed therebetween. The upper and lower flanges ( 11, 12 ) sandwiches, in direction of extension of the elongate parts ( 13, 14 ), a gel inner ring ( 7 ) supported by said support section ( 2 ) and a gel outer ring ( 6, 10   a ) covering the gel inner ring ( 7 ) in a radial direction extending transverse to said extension direction. The gel inner ring ( 7 ) and the gel outer ring ( 6, 10   a ) are made of a gel sealing material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/513,124 filed 4Oct. 2012, which is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2010/068362,filed 29 Nov. 2010, which claims benefit of Serial No. 09014999.8, filed3 Dec. 2009 in Europe and which applications are incorporated herein byreference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made toeach of the above disclosed applications.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a gel sealing device for sealing apassage of elongate parts through an opening. The gel sealing deviceprovides a sealing section through which the elongate parts extends,wherein the gel sealing device comprises a gel sealing block having anupper flange and a lower flange with a support section disposedtherebetween for supporting a gel ring sandwiched between the flanges indirection of extension of the elongate parts and which forms the sealingsection.

Such a gel sealing device is e.g. known from WO 2005/027290 A1, whichfinds particular application in the field of telecommunicationstechnology to which the present invention also preferably relates.

The known gel sealing device is accommodated in a lower housing bodywhich is connectable to an upper housing body which forms a cableorganizing area and is provided with a foldable gel ring comprising twosemicircular gel ring segments which abut against each other in a radialinner area of the gel sealing device to form a common sealing sectiontherebetween through which a plurality of cables extends.Conventionally, the plurality of cables comprises at least one cablefrom a provider site and at least one cable ranging to a customer site,e.g. a dwelling unit, wherein said provider cable and said customercable are spliced within the organising area provided in an area of theupper housing body in which the splicing is sealed against environmentalinfluences. The provider cable denoting a main cable may comprise one ormore signal transmitting elements, such as an optical fibre element or ametal wire element, which is at last surrounded by an outer jacketprotecting said element. The customer cable normally comprises anoptical fibre element or a metal wire element to be spliced with theassigned element of the main cable in the organizing area of the upperhousing body, wherein said optical fibre element or metal wire elementis also protected by an outer jacket or a tube as e.g. used in blownfibre application.

Normally, the housing and the gel sealing device are accessed during itslifetime for several times in order to install individually, furthercables at different times. Thereby, the sealing section through whichthe cables extend, needs to be made accessible for introducing therein,the further cables to be installed. By the accessing of the sealingsection, all cables extending therethrough are exposed accessibly.Accordingly, during installation of further cables, particular attentionis demanded for the cables already installed and extending through thegel sealing device to prevent damage or the like of said cables.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gel sealing devicefor sealing a passage of elongate parts through an opening, wherein saidgel sealing device has improved cable access properties.

The present invention is based on the concept that the gel sealingdevice has a gel sealing block which comprises a gel inner ring and agel outer ring covering the gel inner ring in a radial direction andcomprising a first circumferential segment and at least one secondcircumferential segment which is adapted to be detachable from the firstcircumferential segment to provide a separate accessible sealingsection. Detachment in the sense of the present invention relates to arelease of the respective part and also to a reassemble of said partafter releasing it. Particularly, the at least one secondcircumferential segment is adapted to be repeatedly releasable andattachable to said first circumferential segment. The gel outer ring ismade of a gel sealing material commonly known for cable housings used inthe technical field of telecommunication technology. This gel sealingmaterial is a highly viscous liquid which can be regarded as a pseudoplastic or non-Newtonian fluid (cp. EP 0 426 658 B1 and EP 0 681 598B1). In other words, the gel sealing material has the capability ofbeing deformable to adopt as a negative pattern, the contours of thesurfaces of the parts surrounding the gel sealing material, particularlyof the upper and lower flanges and of a housing body accommodating thegel sealing device, provided for contacting the gel sealing material toperform sealing and for supporting axially and radially the gel outerring and the gel inner ring. Furthermore, as the gel inner ring is alsomade of such a gel sealing material, the portion of the plurality ofelongate parts, which are preferably constituted by a plurality ofcables extending between the gel outer ring and the gel inner ring willbe fully surrounded, i.e. encapsulated in its circumferential directionby the gel sealing material.

Accordingly, the gel sealing material will flow and will be pressedtowards the contact surfaces provided with the housing for the gelsealing material by exerting a predetermined pressure onto said gelsealing material, wherein a sealing is obtained therebetween. Saidpressure can be preferably achieved by dimensioning the gel outer ringand/or gel inner ring larger than a space provided in the gel sealingdevice for supporting the gel outer and inner rings, respectively.Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the gel sealing device ispreferably adapted to compress the gel outer and inner rings withrespect to each other, preferably by moving at least the upper flange orthe lower flange towards the other flange.

According to the present invention, the gel outer ring is comprised ofat least two circumferential segments, in particular, of at least twoseparate circumferential segments, wherein at least two separate sealingsections are provided which are separately accessible from each other bydetaching the at least one second circumferential segment from the firstcircumferential segment. Thus, a single elongate part or a plurality ofelongate parts can be inserted into said exposed separate sealingsection, wherein the other elongate part or a plurality of otherelongate parts extending through the other sealing section is stillcovered by the first circumferential segment and can stay untouched. Inother words, the separate accessible sealing section can be handled byinserting, removing, replacing or the like an assigned elongate part ora plurality of assigned elongate parts without affecting the at leastone remaining sealing section still covering the elongate part or partsextending therethrough. Hence, no particular attention is needed for theelongate parts provided through the sealing section not to be accessed.Furthermore, a faster installation of further elongate parts atdifferent times can be obtained, since no time or thought is requiredfor taking care of the elongate parts extending through the sealingsection which is not accessed. Preferably, as the present inventionfinds preferably application in the field of telecommunicationtechnology, an elongate part is constituted by a commonly known cableprotecting a signal transmitting element such as an optical fibreelement or a metal wire element as described above.

Preferably, the gel sealing block of the gel sealing device has awrap-around shape with the gel outer ring forming a part of acircumferential outer surface of the gel sealing device and provided tocontact an inner circumferential surface of a receiving body forming apassage communicating with an opening through which the elongate partsextend. Further, the receiving body is adapted to receive the gelsealing device in its passage. The receiving body forms preferably apart of a housing which can be formed of a cable joint box or a boot forinstance. These housing bodies are usually made by injection moulding ofa plastic material. The housing (boot) preferably comprises a firsthousing (boot) part forming the cable organizing area and beingpreferably releasably connected to a second housing (boot) part whichforms the receiving body for receiving the gel sealing device. The firsthousing (boot) part is denoted in the following “upper housing body”,whereas the second housing (boot) part is designated in the following“lower housing body”. The lower housing body is further preferablyadapted to support the gel sealing device at least in longitudinaldirection of the passage. The upper and lower housing bodies can beconnectable to each other in the longitudinal direction of the passage,wherein a separation of the upper and lower housing bodies is preferablyprovided transversal to the longitudinal direction of the passage. Inaddition or alternatively thereto, the upper housing body and/or thelower housing body can be formed of two halves, wherein the separationof the halves is provided in parallel to the longitudinal direction ofthe passage as known.

The wrap-around shape of the gel sealing block can be a polygon shape ora round shape. In general, the wrap-around shape can be realized by anydesign having a continuous circumference. Furthermore, the outercircumferential surface of the gel outer ring does not necessarily needto contact the inner circumferential surface of the lower housing bodyin an assembled state of the housing. Notwithstanding, thisconfiguration allows a simple structure of the gel sealing device, as asealing between the inner circumferential part of the lower housing bodyand the outer circumference of the gel sealing device can be easilyobtained by the gel outer ring. Alternatively, a configuration of thegel sealing device is conceivable which comprises a cover covering theouter circumferential surface of the gel outer ring, and a further sealfor sealing an area between the inner circumference of the lower housingbody and the outer circumference of the cover.

Concerning the directions and positions of upper, lower, axial,circumferential, inner, outer and radial as indicated for describing theinvention, an upper and lower direction is to be understood as runningparallel to an axial, i.e. longitudinal direction of the passage of thelower housing body through which the plurality of cables extend andwhich corresponds to a direction of extension of said cables, whereinthe upper direction directs to an upper side of the lower housing body,which faces the upper housing body, and wherein the lower directiondirects to the opposite side, that is, the lower side of the lowerhousing body. Further, in the sense of the present invention, acircumferential direction refers to the direction running around thelongitudinal axis of the passage, whereas an inner direction and aninner side or a radial inner direction and a radial inner side relate tothe direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thepassage and directing towards said axis. The outer direction (radialouter direction) and outer side (radial outer side) direct to theopposed direction of the inner direction and inner side, respectively.This explanation shall not be understood as limiting the cross sectionalshape of the gel sealing device to round configuration. Oval,triangular, rectangular or polygonal cross sections are also feasible.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the secondcircumferential segment is sandwiched in direction of extension of theelongate parts by an upper first ring segment and a lower first ringsegment, wherein said upper and lower first ring segments have a rimcovering in radial direction, at least, a part of an outercircumferential surface of the second circumferential segment, andwherein said upper and lower first ring segments are releasablysecurable to the upper and lower flanges, respectively. The preferredconfiguration allows a simple release and attachment of the secondcircumferential segment from and to the first circumferential segment,respectively. Further, by at least partially covering the outercircumference of the gel outer ring, a radial support can be simplyprovided without negatively affecting a seal performance between the gelsealing device and the lower housing body, since the gel outer ringfurther contacts the inner circumference of the lower housing body in anassembled state of the housing to seal the area between the gel sealingdevice and the lower housing body.

The releasable securing of the upper and lower first ring segments ispreferably obtained by at least one detent which is provided with theupper and lower first ring segments at an opposite side of the rim,wherein said at least one detent grabs the upper and lower flange,respectively, from a circumferential side thereof. In other words, thedetent is adapted to overlap an outer circumferential surface of theupper and lower flange, respectively, at least partially in axialdirection of the gel sealing device, wherein a hook portion of thedetent is received by a recess portion provided in the circumferentialsurface of the upper and lower flange, respectively. The hook portion ofthe detent is preferably provided at an axial end side of the detent,and the recess portion is arranged at a respective assigned outer upperedge of the circumferential surface of the upper flange and at anassigned outer lower edge of the circumferential surface of the lowerflange. Further preferable, the recess portion of the upper and lowerflange, respectively, is adapted to completely embed the detent at leastin axial or radial direction of the gel sealing device. Accordingly, therecess portion of the upper and lower flange, respectively, has a shapecorresponding to a shape of the detent, wherein the detent received inthe recess portion forms with the upper and lower flange, respectively,a common outer surface without ridges at the position of the detent. Thesecond circumferential segment sandwiched by the upper and lower firstring segments can be simply clipped from the radially outer side to theouter circumference of the gel sealing device, particularly to the upperand lower flanges, respectively. Preferably, the upper and lower firstring segments have an identical shape. This configuration isparticularly preferred when said second circumferential segment and theupper and lower first ring segments are adapted to cover the main cablewhich extends through the sealing section. More preferably, said secondcircumferential segment sandwiched by the upper and lower first ringsegments are adapted to only cover at least one looped main cable whichforms an incoming cable extending to the upper side of the lower housingbody and an outgoing cable extending to the lower side of the lowerhousing body, wherein said incoming cable and said outgoing cable arepreferably arranged directly adjacently in the sealing section.Alternatively, the incoming cable and the outgoing cable of said maincable can be provided circumferentially spaced apart, wherein at leasttwo second circumferential segments are provided, one for covering theincoming cable and the other one for covering the outgoing cable, andwherein, preferably, each of said second circumferential segments issandwiched by an upper and lower first ring segment as described above.

In a further preferred embodiment, the engaging part formed at the upperand lower first ring segments is preferably a receiving hole which isformed near or at the edges of the circumferential end sides of theupper and lower first ring segments, respectively, wherein saidreceiving hole is adapted to receive the hinge which is formed by a pinprotruding from the upper and lower flanges towards the upper and lowerfirst ring segments, respectively. In particular, said pin forming thehinge, protrudes from the upper flange in axial direction towards thelower side and the pin formed with the lower flange protrudes, in axialdirection towards the upper side. The pin receiving hole is provided atan assigned position of the upper and lower first ring segments in orderto receive the pin and, preferably, to allow the rotational move of theupper and lower first ring segments and of the second circumferentialsegment sandwiched therebetween. Said pin and the receiving hole arepreferably crosssectionally round shaped. Notwithstanding, said pin andthe assigned receiving hole can also have further shapes for securingthe upper and lower first ring segments to the upper and lower flanges,respectively, from the axial or radial side without a rotatingcapability thereof.

According to another preferred embodiment, the first circumferentialsegment is sandwiched in the extension direction by an upper second ringsegment and a lower second ring segment, wherein said upper and lowersecond ring segments have a rim covering in the radial direction atleast part of an outer circumferential surface of the firstcircumferential segment, and wherein said upper and lower second ringsegments are secured to the upper and lower flanges, respectively. Saidconfiguration corresponds substantially to the above-describedconfiguration of the rim provided with the upper and lower first ringsegments, wherein similar effects can be achieved. More preferable, theupper first ring segment and the upper second ring segment form acontinuous upper ring, and the lower first ring segment and the lowersecond ring segment form a continuous lower ring. The continuous rimsformed thereby cover the circumferential outer surface of the gel outerring at its axial end sides, wherein a radially support of the gel outerring can be further improved.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least, the upper ring and theupper flange or the lower ring and the lower flange comprise analignment means for determining in circumferential direction of theflanges, a predetermined position of the upper ring and the lower ringwith the gel outer ring sandwiched therebetween with respect to theupper and lower flanges. The alignment means provides an indication fora correct placement of the upper ring with respect to the upper flangeand/or of the lower ring with respect to the lower flange, forsimplifying the assembling procedure e.g. after the gel sealing devicehas been disassembled for inserting further cables. In the sense of thepresent invention, correct placement refers to positioning repeatedly inan identical manner, the upper ring with respect to the upper flangeand/or the lower ring with respect to the lower flange. The assemblingtime can thereby be decreased, as a trial and error for discovering acorrect position of the upper ring with respect to the upper flangeand/or of the lower ring with respect to the lower flange can beavoided.

Preferably, the alignment means comprises a protrusion provided at aninner circumferential surface of at least the upper second ring segmentor the lower ring segment and projecting therefrom to a radially innerside, and a protrusion receiving section provided with the upper flangeor the lower flange, respectively, for receiving said protrusion. Morepreferably, said protrusion receiving section is adapted to receive theprotrusion at least from the radially outer side or from the axialdirection. Further preferable, the alignment means is formed of latchingmeans to releasably secure the upper ring to the upper flange and/or thelower ring to the lower flange. Hence, a correct alignment and asecuring of the upper ring and of the lower ring, respectively, can besimply obtained.

In a further preferred embodiment, each of the upper second ring segmentand the lower second ring segment comprises at least one hinge portionpreferably arranged direct adjacently to the alignment means atcircumferential sides thereof, wherein the hinge portion is adapted toallow a release and attachment of the part of the upper and lower secondring segments, which extends circumferentially from said hinge portiontowards its circumferential end side, from and to the upper and lowerflanges, respectively, in an engaged state of the latching means, i.e.in a securing state of at least the upper ring or the lower ring.According thereto, the part of the upper and lower second ring segmentextending from the hinge portion to the circumferential end side can behinged from the gel sealing device, wherein the hinge portion forms theaxis of rotation. Preferably, the hinge portion is formed of a bendextending axially over the whole axial width of the upper and lowerrings, respectively. Thus, the upper and lower second ring segments areundetachably secured to the upper and lower flanges, respectively,wherein the upper and lower second ring segments with the firstcircumferential segment sandwiched therebetween need not to becompletely disassembled from the gel sealing device for accessing thesealing section. The installation time for installing further cables canbe decreased. Moreover, the sealing section formed between the firstcircumferential segment of the gel outer ring and the gel inner ring isthereby divided in further sub-sealing sections separately accessiblewith respect to each other. For this preferred embodiment, each of theupper and lower second ring segments comprises preferably at each oftheir circumferential end sides, a ring securing element adapted tointeract with a flange securing element assigned to said ring securingelement and provided at a respective position at an axial end side ofthe upper and lower flange, respectively, to releasably secure saidsecond ring segment parts. More preferably, the flange securing elementis formed of a pin protruding from the axial end side of the flangetoward the upper and lower rings, respectively, wherein the ringsecuring element is formed of a recess adapted to receive said pin andwhich is opened to the radially inner side and to the axial sidedirecting to the respective flange. Thereby, the releasable part of theupper and lower second ring segments can be secured to the upper andlower flanges, respectively, from a radially outer side and aresecurable to the respective flanges at least in circumferentialdirection or axial direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the upper and lower secondring segments are made of an elastically material, such as rubber or thelike, to be simply hingeable in radial direction to accessibly exposethe sealing section, wherein said second ring segments can be attachedto the upper and lower flanges, respectively, as described above.Accordingly, the second ring segments sandwiching the firstcircumferential segment can be completely or partially bent to a radialouter side of the gel sealing device, wherein a respective part of thesealing section is accessibly exposed.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least one second ring segment ofthe upper and lower rings with the first circumferential segment of thegel outer ring or at least one first ring segments of the upper andlower rings with the second circumferential segments forms a singleunit. Particularly, the first circumferential segment and the secondcircumferential segment are fixed to their assigned ring segment of theupper and lower rings preferably by a co-injection molding process. Morepreferably, at least the first or second circumferential segment isfixed to both ring segments of the upper and lower rings, respectively,by said co-injection molding process to form a single unit comprised ofthe respective ring segments of the upper and lower rings with theassigned circumferential segment of the gel outer ring sandwichedtherebetween. According thereto, the gel outer ring can be simplyretained by the upper and lower ring segments, wherein an assembling anddisassembling of the gel sealing device is further simplified.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upperflange and the lower flange have, at their circumferential outersurface, a plurality of passageways for guiding the elongate parts intheir extension direction, wherein the passageways are opened to aradial outer side of the flanges. The plurality of cables can beinserted in the gel sealing device from its radially outer side.Moreover, the upper flange and the lower flange provide by its portions,which are arranged in circumferential direction between the passagewaysand, thereby, defining the passageways, respectively, an abutmentsurface as large as can be for the gel outer ring sandwiched by theupper ring and lower ring, as only the material to form the passagewaysin order to allow a guide of the elongate parts therethrough is removedfrom the flanges. Hence, the sandwiched gel outer ring can be reliablysupported and retained in axial direction of the gel sealing device.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the upper flange and thelower flange are adapted to be movable towards each other to compressthe sandwiched gel inner ring and gel outer ring. More preferably, thesupport section comprises two rings, one ring is fixed to the upperflange at the radial inner side and the other ring is fixed to the lowerflange at the radial inner side, wherein one of the rings has a free endside with a diameter smaller than a diameter of an opposed free end sideof the other ring and wherein the rings are movably fitted into eachother in an assembled state of the support section. Said rings protrudein axial direction from the upper and lower flanges, respectively,wherein the outer circumference of said rings form the support sectionwhich supports the gel inner ring. In an alternative preferredembodiment, only one ring is provided either with the upper flange orthe lower flange, wherein the remaining flange comprises a recessadapted to receive the free end side of said ring in order to allow anaxial movement of the upper and lower flanges with respect to eachother. In this configuration, the single ring forms the support sectionfor the gel inner ring.

To facilitate the axial movement of the upper and lower flanges withrespect to each other, the upper flange has preferably a tension memberat a central portion, wherein said tension member extends in theextension direction through an opening provided in the lower flange to alower side of the gel sealing device and wherein the protruding end ofthe tension member provides a hand-hold for manually moving the upperflange towards the lower flange. This moving can be obtained by pullingthe tension member.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the tension member is formed oftwo parts, wherein the first part is a rod extending from the centralportion of the upper flange in axial direction of the passage throughthe opening provided in the lower flange to the lower side of the gelsealing device and wherein the free end side of said rod is received bya stick having the hand-hold. Preferably, the free end side of said rodcomprises an external screw thread, wherein said stick has an internalscrew thread screwed onto said external screw thread. Further, saidstick comprises lateral extensions protruding to a radial outer side andabutting in axial direction against a lower side of the gel sealingdevice to provide a counter surface by which the upper flange having therod, can be axially moved towards the lower flange when the stick isrotated in circumferential direction.

According to another preferred embodiment, the gel sealing devicecomprises an elongate parts alignment means attached to the lower flangeat a side opposing the gel sealing block, wherein the elongate partsalignment means provides an abutment surface extending transversely tothe extension direction and being adapted to abut against an abutmentsurface formed at an inner circumferential surface of a gel sealingdevice receiving body. Further, the cable alignment means provides atits outer circumferential surface, a plurality of channels aligned toguide the elongate parts towards the sealing section and adapted toreceive, at least, a clamping means adapted to secure the elongate partin the assigned channel, at least, in the extension direction. Theelongate parts extending through the sealing section can be easilyaligned by inserting the respective elongate part from a radially outerside in the assigned channel which extends in elongation of thepassageways in axial direction. For each elongate part, a separatechannel is preferably provided. Accordingly, the elongate partsextending to the lower and upper sides of the gel sealing devicereceiving body are placed in circumferential direction of the gelsealing device, wherein for each elongate part, a separate channel andpassageway is provided.

In a further preferred embodiment, the elongate parts alignment meanshas a recess portion at a circumferential outer surface of a wall sideforming the channel. Further, the clamping means comprises a sideprotrusion adapted to be received by said recess portion in a clampingstate of the clamping means. This allows an axial securing of theelongate parts received in the assigned channel, wherein the elongateparts can be simply aligned in axial direction of the gel sealingdevice. In particular, in a further preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, at least one of the elongate parts is formed of a tubeguiding an optical fibre element or a metal wire element, wherein a tubeend of the tube can be aligned at the upper side of the upper flange orin the sealing section provided between the gel outer ring and the gelinner ring by axial fixation of the tube on the elongate parts alignmentmeans by means of the clamping means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in further detail byreferring to a preferred embodiment depicted in the accompanyingdrawings. In these drawings:

FIGS. 1A-1C show a perspective side view of a housing comprising a gelsealing device according to the embodiment in an assembled anddisassembled state of the upper and lower housing bodies,

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective side view of the housing of FIGS.1A to 1C without the upper and lower housing bodies,

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional side view of the housing of FIG. 1Bwithout the loop section holder,

FIG. 3B shows an enlarged view of section IIIB of FIG. 3A,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the gel sealing device of FIG.2,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective side view of the gel sealing device of FIG. 4with disassembled second circumferential segment,

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the cable end tube alignment means,

FIG. 7 shows a perspective rear-side view of the cable and tubealignment means of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 shows a perspective side view of a further housing comprising thegel sealing device according to the embodiment in an assembled, and

FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective side view of the housing of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the following description of the housing 1, it is to be understoodthat an upper direction is directed to the side of the lower housingbody 3 to which the upper housing body 2 is connected, whereas a lowerdirection refers to the opposed side thereof. An inner direction relatesto the direction pointing to the central axis of the tubular-shapedlower housing body 3, whereas an outer direction corresponds to adirection from the central axis of the lower housing body 3 up to itsradial outer side. A circumferential direction refers to a directionrunning in parallel with the circumference about the central axis of thelower housing body 3. An axial direction refers to the direction runningparallel with the middle axis of the lower housing body 3.

FIGS. 1A to 1C show a perspective side view of the housing 1 comprisingthe lower housing body 3 of a tubular shape forming a passage forguiding the main cable 13 and a plurality of cables guided by aplurality of tubes 14 from the lower side to an upper side of the lowerhousing body 3. The upper side of the lower housing body 3 closed by theupper housing body 2 in the assembled state of the housing 1 defines acable organizing area in which the plurality of cables, i.e. the maincable 13 and the plurality of cables guided by the tubes 14 arehandleable. Said organizing area has a loop section holder 4 attached toa fixation member holder 18. As can be seen from FIG. 1C andparticularly from FIG. 2, the housing 1 comprises a gel sealing devicewhich is received and held in the passage of the lower housing body 3,wherein the fixation member holder 18 and the loop section holder 4 arearranged on the upper side of the gel sealing block 5. The loop sectionholder 4 provides a base for at least one loop section (not shown) to beattached to said loop section holder 4. The loop section is adapted tostore an overlength of the assigned cable. The fixation member holder 18has a disc-like shaped fixation member holder base 18 a having areceiving portion 18 f provided at the central portion for allowingattachment of the loop section holder 4 to the fixation member holder18. The receiving portion 18 f is formed of a protrusion extending inaxial direction to the upper side and having a receiving hole adapted toreceive a pin-like part of the loop section holder 4 provided at itslower end and having a polygon shape. The receiving hole of thereceiving portion 18 f has a corresponding shape at its innercircumferential side. Thereby, a rotational move of the loop sectionholder 4 in an assembled state with respect to the fixation memberholder 18 is prevented.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fixation member holder 18 comprises a pluralityof bar-shaped protrusions 18 b extending in axial direction towards theupper side. Thereby, the fixation member holder 18 adopts a crown shape.Each bar-shaped protrusion 18 b is adapted to hold a fixation member 19which can be attached to an end side of a cable guided by the tube 14.In particular, said bar-shaped protrusion 18 b comprises in axialdirection two openings which communicate with an outside of thebar-shaped protrusion 18 b by a recess extending from the opening to thecircumferential edge of the bar-shaped protrusion 18 b. The fixationmembers 19 have two pins adapted to be received by the openings of thebar-shaped protrusion 18 b wherein said pins have at its free end side,a swelling part with an outer width larger than the middle section ofthe pin extending from the fixation member holder base 18 a to theswelling part. The middle section of the fixation member 19 has an outerwidth being equal or smaller than the recess directing to the opening ofthe bar-shaped protrusion 18 b. The fixation member 19 is inserted fromthe side of the bar-shaped protrusion 18 b, i.e. the fixation member 19is inserted into the openings of the bar-shaped protrusion 18 b from thecircumferential side. Thereby, the fixation member 19 is axially andradially fixed with respect to the fixation member holder 18.

On a radially inner side of the bar-shaped protrusion 18 b, areinforcing member 18 g is provided which fixes the bar-shapedprotrusion 18 b to the upper surface side of the fixation member holderbase 18 a. Moreover, the fixation member holder 18 comprises a pluralityelongations 18 c extending between the bar-shaped protrusions 18 b tothe radial outer side, wherein the plurality of elongations 18 c formsan outer circumference having a diameter larger than a diameter of thegel sealing device and smaller than an inner diameter of the lowerhousing body 3. The sections between the pluralities of elongations 18 cform an inner circumference with a diameter smaller than the diameter ofthe gel sealing device. The plurality of elongations 18 c is supportedby an upper section of the lower housing body 3. In particular, thelower housing body 3 comprises in axial direction, a lower section andthe upper section, wherein the upper section has an inner diameterlarger than the lower section. Thereby, a step forming an abutmentsurface extending in radial direction of the lower housing body 3 isformed at the change-over between the upper section and the lowersection of the lower housing body 3. The upper section of the lowerhousing body 3 comprises at its inner circumferential surface, aplurality of protrusions projecting radially from the innercircumferential surface by a length being equal to or smaller than aradial length of the abutment surface formed by the step. The pluralityof protrusions projects further in axial direction at least until theupper edge of the upper section. The plurality of protrusions arearranged in such a manner that a plurality of recesses is formedtherebetween which are adapted to axially receive the plurality ofelongations 18 c provided with the fixation member holder 18 from theupper side of the lower housing body 3. In an assembled state of thefixation member holder 18 within the lower housing body 3, a twist ofthe fixation member holder 18 with respect to the lower housing body 3can be prevented thereby.

As it is evident from FIGS. 1A to 3B, the gel sealing device retained inthe passage of the lower housing body 3 protrudes from the lower side ofthe lower housing body 3 by a predetermined length. As shown in FIG. 2,the gel sealing block 5 comprises an upper flange 11 and a lower flange12 with a support section 11 a, 12 a disposed therebetween, wherein theupper and lower flanges 11, 12 sandwich in axial direction, a gel innerring 7 and a gel outer ring 6, 10 a covering the gel inner ring 7 inradial direction, wherein the gel inner ring 7 and the gel outer ring 6,10 a forms a sealing section therebetween. The gel sealing devicefurther comprises at the lower side of the lower flange 12, a cable andtube alignment and supporting means 15 for guiding and holding the maincable 13 and the plurality of tubes 14 extending from the lower side ofthe lower housing body 3.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 3A, the upper flange 11 is disc-shapedand has at its outer circumference, a plurality of recesses providing aplurality of passageways 23 extending in axial direction. The upperflange 11 comprises at its lower side, a cylindrical round-shapedprotrusion 11 a having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameterdefined by the bottoms of the plurality of passageways 23. Theround-shaped protrusion 11 a projects from the lower side of the upperflange 11 toward the lower flange 12. The outer circumferential surfaceof the round-shaped protrusion 11 a provides a first portion of thesupport section 11 a, 12 a, 12 b formed between the upper and lowerflanges 11, 12. The upper flange 11 comprises at its lower side, i.e.the side surrounded by the outer circumferential surface of theround-shaped protrusion 11 a, a ring-shaped recess 41 and in the centreaxis, a pin-like member 17 a extending from the lower side of the upperflange 11 towards the lower flange 12 and towards the cable and tubealignment and supporting means 15. The ring-shaped recess 41 is adaptedto receive a free-end side of a ring-shaped protrusion 12 b providedwith the lower flange 12. The recess 41 and the pin-like member 17 aboth extend in axial direction.

The lower flange 12 is disc-shaped and comprises a plurality of recessesat its outer circumference, forming a plurality of passageways 23extending in axial direction. The lower flange 12 has at its upper side,a step formed round-shaped protrusion 12 a, 12 b projecting from theupper side of the lower flange 12 in axial direction. An outer diameterof the step formed round-shaped protrusion 12 a, 12 b is smaller than aninner diameter defined by the bottoms of the plurality of thepassageways 23 formed in the outer circumference of the lower flange 12.The step formed round-shaped protrusions 12 a, 12 b has a first section12 a fixed to the upper side of the lower flange 12 and having an outerdiameter larger than an outer diameter of the second section 12 bprojecting from an upper side of the first section 12 a. The secondsection 12 b is ring-shaped and is adapted to be received by thering-shaped recess 41 provided with the upper flange 11. The outercircumferential surfaces of the step formed round shaped protrusions 12a, 12 b form the remaining part of the support section 11 a, 12 a, 12 bdisposed between the upper flange 11 and the lower flange 12.

The lower flange 12 further comprises an opening at its central portionwhich guides therethrough the pin-like member 17 a formed with the upperflange 11. The lower flange 12 comprises on its upper side in the areabetween the ring-shaped, second section 12 b, several pin-likeprotrusions 42 projecting from the other side of the lower flange 12 inaxial direction. Said pin-like protrusions 42 cooperate with theretoassociated recesses formed in the lower side of the upper flange 11 in aradial inner area defined by the ring-shaped recess 41. In particular,the pin-like protrusions 42 are received by the corresponding recessesprovided with the upper flange 11 in an assembled state of the gelsealing block 5, whereby said recesses and the pin-like protrusions 42form a twist-preventing means preventing a twist of the upper flange 11with respect to the lower flange 12 in said assembled state. Further,the lower flange 12 and the upper flange 11 are movable with respect toeach other, wherein the ring-shaped second section 12 b is fitted intothe ring-shaped recess 41 of the upper flange 11.

The upper flange 11 and the lower flange 12 have each at their opposingsides, in axial elongation of the passageways 23, protruding lips 24, 28for guiding and aligning the cable and tube into and out of the sealingsection 22 formed between the gel inner ring 7 and the gel outer ring 6,10 a. As said lips 24, 28 are substantially identically shaped, the lips24 provided with the lower flange 12 will be described in detail in thefollowing, wherein the described configuration of said lips 24 alsoapplies basically in a corresponding manner to the lips 28 formed withthe upper flange 11.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3B, the lower flange 12 comprises directlyadjacent to the passageway 23 in axial elongation thereof, at its upperside, the conical half-shell shaped lips 24 having a large diameterlower side fixed to the lower flange 12 and a small diameter upper sidedenoting a free-end side. The opening diameter of said small diameterupper side corresponds to an outer diameter of the tube 14 guided bysaid lip 24. The conical half-shell shaped lip 28 formed with the upperflange 11 has a small diameter lower side with an opening diametercorresponding to an outer diameter of the cable guided through the tube14, which ends in the sealing section 22. Further, the lower flange 12provides on a radial inner side of the conical half-shell shaped lip 24,a recess for receiving the gel sealing material of the gel inner ring 7in an assembled state of the gel sealing block 5. Thereby, the conicalhalf-shell shaped lip 24 is surrounded by the gel sealing material ofthe gel inner ring 7 at last in the assembled state of the gel sealingblock 5, wherein the gel inner ring 7 forms at its axial end sidesealing lips. The lower flange 12 further provides between adjacentconical half-shell shaped lips 24, a support surface for radiallysupporting a lower ring 9, 10 c. In other words, the lower flange 12comprises in axial elongation of the wall sections defining thepassageway 23, an axial protrusion forming a radial support surfacewhich extends from a radial surface of said wall sections to the upperside. The surface formed by the wall sections on the upper side of thelower flange 11 and extending to the radial outer side forms an axialsupport surface for the lower ring 9, 10 c. Thus, the lower ring 9, 10 cis supported by the lower flange 12 in axial and radial direction by theaforesaid support surfaces provided at the upper side of the wallsections defining the passageways 23. Furthermore, the lower flange 12supports a lower axial end side of the gel inner ring 7 by the recessesformed in radial inner direction of the conical half-shell shaped lips24, the large diameter side thereof are fixed to the wall sectionsdefining the passageways 23. Whereas the axial lower end side of the gelouter ring 6, 10 a, is supported by the lower ring 9, 10 c.

As it is evident from FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the gel inner ring 7 is formedof at least one ring extending continuously in circumferential directionand being supported by the support section 11 a, 12 a, 12 b formed bythe upper flange 11 and the lower flange 12, respectively. Whereas thegel outer ring 6, the lower ring 9, 10 c and the upper ring 8, 10 b areeach comprised of two circumferential segments. In particular, the gelouter ring 6, 10 a comprises a first circumferential segment 6 and asecond circumferential segment 10 a, which form in an assembled manner,the continuous gel outer ring 6, 10 a. The first circumferential segment6 is adapted to form with the gel inner ring 7, a sealing section 22 forthe tube end of the plurality of tubes 14 guided by the passageway 23and protruding lips 24 into the sealing section 22. The gel inner ring 7and the first circumferential segment 6 of the gel outer ring 6, 10 aform for each tube end in the sealing section 22 a termination 49against which the axial end side of tube 14 abuts in its assembled state(FIGS. 2 and 3B). Particularly, each of the gel inner ring 7 and thefirst circumferential segment 6 provides a groove ranging from the lowerflange 12 side into the sealing section 22, wherein the grooves of thegel inner ring 7 are aligned with thereto assigned grooves provided withthe first circumferential segment 6. Respective assigned grooves form inan assembled state of the gel sealing device the termination 49 at theirend side in the sealing section 22, wherein each groove is adapted topartially surround the received tube end, and wherein the termination 49provides a central opening to guide there through the signaltransmitting element protruding from the tube end at the termination 49towards the upper flange 11.

The second circumferential segment 10 a is adapted to form with the gelinner ring 7, a sealing section 22 at a position where the main cable 13extends there through from the lower side to the upper side of the lowerhousing body 3. In compliance with the segmental configuration of thegel outer ring 6, 10 a, the lower ring 9, 10 c and the upper ring 8, 10b comprises each a first ring segment 10 b, 10 c and a second ringsegment 8, 9, respectively. The first ring segment 10 b, 10 c and thesecond ring segment 8, 9 form in an assembled manner, the continuousupper ring 8, 10 b and the continuous lower ring 9, 10 c, respectively.Each of the upper ring 8, 10 b and the lower ring 9, 10 c, has on itsinner circumferential side, a protruding lip pattern which correspondsin shape and configuration to the protruding lips 24, 28 provided withthe upper flange 11 and the lower flange 12, respectively. Accordingly,the conical half-shell shaped lips 28 of the upper flange 11 and theupper ring 8, 10 b and the lower flange 12 and the lower ring 9, 10 c,respectively, form a conical channel with a free end side having anopening diameter adapted to guide therethrough, the main cable 13, thetube 14 and the cable guided through the tube 14, respectively (FIG.3B).

The lower ring 9, 10 c and the upper ring 8, 10 b, further comprises arim 26 extending at its outer circumference in axial direction towardsthe gel outer ring 6, 10 a for covering and thereby radially supportingan outer circumferential surface of the axial upper and lower ends ofthe gel outer ring 6, 10 a. Each of the upper and lower ring segments 8,10 b; 9, 10 c is secured to the upper flange 11 and the lower flange 12,respectively. In particular, the upper and lower second ring segments 8,9 comprises fixation and alignment means 37, 38, which are provided atcircumferential end sections and at the circumferential middle sectionof the upper and lower second ring segment 8, 9, respectively. Thefixation and alignment means 38 in the middle circumferential sectionconstitutes a latching means comprised of a detent and latch, whereinthe latch is formed with the upper and lower flange 11, 12, respectivelyand wherein the detent is formed with the upper and lower second ringsegment 8, 9, respectively. Adjacent to the detent at bothcircumferential sides thereof, a hinge portion 36 made of a bendextending axially is provided for allowing a releasing of the part ofthe second ring segment 8, 9 extending from the hinge portion 36 to thecircumferential end side from the gel sealing device in a secured stateof the detent, i.e. of the second ring segment 8, 9.

The fixation and alignment means provided at each circumferential endside of the upper and lower second ring segments 8, 9, respectively, iscomprised of a pin receiving hole which receives a pin 37 formed at thesides of the upper and lower flanges 11, 12 which opposes the upper andlower second ring segment 8, 9, respectively, and which is formed inaxial elongation of the abutment surface of the wall sections definingthe passageways 23. Thereby, the upper and lower second ring segments 8,9 are securable to the upper and lower flanges 11, 12, respectively, byassembling the fixation and alignment means in axial direction.

Furthermore, the upper first ring segment 10 b and the lower first ringsegment 10 c have an identical shape. Accordingly, in the following, theupper first ring segment 10 b will be described in detail, wherein thedescribed configuration of said upper first ring segment 10 b, alsoapplies to the lower first ring segment 10 c. As shown in FIG. 5, theupper first ring segment 10 b has a circumferential length correspondingto a circumferential length of the second circumferential segment 10 aof the gel outer ring 6, 10 a. Thus, the upper first ring segment 10 b,the second circumferential segment 10 a and the lower first ring segment10 c form in an assembled manner one part with common circumferentialend sides extending in axial direction. The upper first ring segment 10b comprises at its radial inner side, two conical half-shell shaped lipswhich cooperate with the conical half-shell shaped lips 24 formed withthe upper flange 11 to form a conical shaped cable channel for the maincable 13. The upper first ring segment 10 b comprises further a rimsection 26 covering radially, the upper axial end side of the secondcircumferential segment 10 a. Moreover, the first ring segment 10 b hastwo axial protrusions 35 at its upper side opposing the rim section 26,wherein said two axial protrusions 35 are disposed at thecircumferential end sides of the upper first ring segment 10 b,respectively, as an axial elongation of said circumferential end sides.Said two axial protrusions 35 form a detent with a hook portion at itsfree end side which grabs the upper flange 11 from its circumferentialside. The upper flange 11 provides at its outer circumference a grooveextending in axial direction of the gel sealing device for receiving thedetent in an embedded state (FIG. 6). The groove ends at the upper sideof the upper flange 11 in a recess portion receiving the hook portion ofthe detent, wherein the detent ends at latest in a surface plane formedby the upper surface of the upper flange 11. Accordingly, said two axialprotrusions 35 have an axial length equal to or smaller than a thicknessof the wall section defining the passageway 23 in axial direction. Thelower first ring segment 10 b, further comprises radially inside withrespect to said two axial protrusions 35 at or near the edges ofcircumferential end sides, a receiving hole 39 adapted to receive a pin37 formed with the upper flange 11 in a manner corresponding to the pin37 of the fixation and alignment means described with respect to theupper second ring segment 8. In particular, the pin 37 for securing theupper second ring segment 8 and the upper first ring segment 10 b areformed adjacently and protruding from an identical wall section in axialdirection (FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower ring segment 9 comprises on its outercircumferential surface, in the region at the circumferential end sides,a groove 43 which cooperates with a detent 44, extending at acorresponding position from the lower flange 12 in axial direction. Saiddetent 44 is formed on the circumferential outer surface of the wallsection defining the passageway 23 for the main cable 13, wherein saiddetent 44 is cross-shaped with a first part extending in axial directionforming the detent engaging the groove 43 and with a second partextending perpendicular to the aforesaid first part in axial directionand being fixed to the upper circumferential surface of the lower flange12 for forming a pivot axis about which the detent 44 can be tilted toloosen the fixation of the lower second ring segment 9 to said detent44.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the gel sealing device comprises a cable andtube alignment and supporting means 15 attached to the lower side of thelower flange 12. The lower flange 12 comprises latching means 45 axialprotruding from the lower side of the lower flange 12 and being receivedby a recess 46 provided on the upper side of the cable and tubealignment and supporting means 15. The cable and tube alignment andsupporting means 15 has a flat upper surface extending in radialdirection and provided to abut against the lower surface of the lowerflange 12. As can be seen from FIG. 3A, the cable and tube alignment andsupporting means 15 has a central opening through which the pin-likemember 17 a of the upper flange 11 extends towards the lower side. Saidpin-like member 17 a is received by a rod 17 extending with one end, inaxial direction through said central opening of the cable and tubealignment and supporting means 15 and hence, in the opening provided atthe lower side of the lower flange 12. The rod 17 is adapted to retainthe pin-like member 17 a in order to move the upper flange 11 in axialdirection. Particularly, the pin-like member 17 a has a male screwthread at the free end side received by the rod 17, which has a femalescrew thread engaging said male screw thread. Thus, by rotationalmovement of the rod 17 in one circumferential direction, the upperflange 11 is moved towards the lower flange 12. By rotating the rod 17in the opposite direction, the upper flange 11 is moved towards theupper side, i.e. in a direction opposing the lower flange 12. The rod 17comprises at its free end side a hand-hold formed by two opposing wingsand an opening extending in a direction transverse to the axialdirection. Through said transverse opening, a further rod can beinserted to form a level by which an increased rotational force can beapplied to reliable compress the gel inner ring 7 and the gel outer ring6, 10 a. Moreover, the rod 17 has in a region near the end whichreceives the pin-like member 17 a, counter-pressure parts 17 b abuttingagainst a lower circumferential surface side of a protrusion extendingfrom the lower side of the cable and tube alignment and supporting means15 and surrounding the opening through which the pin-like member 17 areceived by the rod 17 extends. Said counter-pressure parts 17 b areformed of short bar-shaped protrusions extending in radial directionfrom the rod 17 in opposing directions. Said bar-shaped protrusions 17 bhave a radial length larger than an inner diameter of the protrusion 46extending from the lower side of the cable and tube alignment andsupporting means 15. Said bar-shaped protrusions 17 b abutting againstsaid ring-shaped protrusion 47 in an assembled state of the gel sealingblock 5 provides a counterpart to the axial pressured applied by the gelinner ring 7 and the gel outer ring 6, 10 a in the compressed state toprevent a loosening of said compressed state.

The cable and tube alignment and supporting means 15 comprises at itsouter circumferential surface, a plurality of cable and tube retainingchannels 27 a, 27 b, each extending in axial direction in elongation ofthe passageway 23 formed with the lower flange 12. The configuration ofthe cable and tube retaining channels 27 a, 27 b will be described belowwith respect to FIGS. 6 and 7.

As is further evident from FIG. 3A, the cable and tube alignment andsupporting means 15 comprises a flange portion 15 a at its upper sidefor abutting against a flange 3 a formed with the lower housing body 3at its lower side. In particular, the upper side of the cable and tubealignment and supporting means 15 has an outer diameter correspondingsubstantially to the inner diameter of the lower section of the lowerhousing body 3, whereas the circumferential surface of the cable andtube alignment and supporting means 15 extending from said flange 15 ato the lower side has an outer diameter being equal or smaller than aninner diameter formed by the lower flange 3 a of the lower housing body3. Accordingly, the gel sealing block 5 is supported by the lowerhousing body 3 in axial direction by the flange 3 a formed at the lowerside of the lower housing body 3. The outer diameter of the gel sealingdevice is equal or smaller than the inner diameter of the lower sectionof the lower housing body 3 without the flange 3 a. Thus, the gelsealing block 5 is axially inserted into said lower housing body 3 fromits upper side.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a side view and a perspective rear side view of thecable and tube alignment and supporting means 15 attached to the lowerhousing body 3 by means of the flange 15 a formed on the upper end ofthe cable and tube alignment and supporting means 15 and supporting thelower side of the lower flange 12. The cable and tube channels 27 a, 27b extending in axial direction in elongation of the passageways 23comprises a cable guiding channel 27 b for guiding the main cable 13 inaxial direction and a tube guiding channel 27 a for guiding the tubes 14in axial direction. The cable guiding channel 27 b has recesses forfixing the main cable 13 to the cable and tube alignment and supportingmeans 15 by means of cable strap. The tube guiding channel 27 a has inaxial direction an upper section, a middle section and a lower sectionwherein the upper section is arranged adjacent to the lower flange 12and wherein the lower section is provided at the lower side of the cableand tube alignment and supporting means 15. The middle section has incircumferential direction, a width smaller than the upper and lowersections. Thereby, a change-over formed between the middle section andthe upper and lower sections, respectively, provides an abutment surface29 extending in circumferential direction. Said abutment surface 29comprises a recess portion 40 extending in axial direction (FIG. 7). Thetube guiding channels 27 a and the cable guiding channels 27 b are eachseparated by wall sections 48 extending in axial direction. An outercircumferential surface of said wall sections 48 forms the outercircumferential surface of the cable and tube alignment and supportingmeans 15. The wall sections 48 comprise in an area of the upper andlower sections of the tube guiding channel 27 a a recess 30 formed incircumferential direction over the circumferential width of said wallsections 48, respectively. The surface sides of the wall sections 48defining the tube guiding channel 27 a have in the region of the upperand lower sections of the tube guiding channel 27 a in an area of theaxial end sides, a vertical recess portion 34. Said vertical recessportion 34 provides at its outer side and at its axial end side, whichis near the middle section of the tube guiding channel 27 a,counter-surfaces adapted to prevent an axial and radial displacement ofan element abutting against said counter-surfaces, respectively. Asparticularly shown in FIG. 7, the tube guiding channel 27 a has anundulated bottom surface formed of two wave crests extending in axialdirection in compliance with the direction of extension of the tubeguiding channel 27 a. The middle wave trough formed between the two wavecrests is adapted to guide the tube 14 in axial direction and has ashape corresponding to the shape of the part of the tube 14 placedtherein and guided thereby.

FIGS. 6 and 7 further show a tube clamp 16 of a sliding carriage shape.In particular, the tube clamp 16 has two cross-sectional U-shaped tubereceiving sections with a middle recess section disposed there between.The middle recess section is formed by elongated journals of theU-shaped tube receiving sections, wherein the U-shaped tube receivingsections and the middle recess section provide at both circumferentialsides of the tube clamp 16, a common surface side. The middle recesssection constituting a bridge section has two circumferential extendingelastically lips each protruding from one circumferential side to theopposed circumferential side of the tube clamp 16. One circumferentialextending elastically lip is fixed to one circumferential side of thetube clamp 16, wherein the other is fixed to the opposed side. The lipsare adapted to expand to a radial outer side by mounting the tube clamp16 onto the tube 14. Thus, the tube 14 inserted into the tube guidingchannel 27 a is pressed by said circumferential extending lips onto thebottom surface of the tube guiding channel 27 a.

The tube clamp 16 has at one axial end side, two axial protrusions 32protruding from the U-shaped receiving section in axial direction. Saidaxial protrusions 32 are adapted to be received by the recess 40 formedin the abutment surface 29 at the change-over between the middle sectionand the lower and upper sections of the tube guiding channel 27 a. Atthe opposed axial end side of the tube clamp 16, a second recess portionis formed, which has two engaging pawls 33 extending from said recessportion in circumferential direction. Hence, said engaging pawls 33, ifviewed from a rear side of the tube clamp 16 (see FIG. 7) extend fromthe elongated journals of the U-shaped tube receiving section. Saidengaging pawls 33 are adapted to be received by the vertical recessportions 34 formed in the upper and lower sections of the tube guidingchannel 27 a. The tube clamp 16 further comprises a circumferential sideprotrusion 31 which extends from the U-shaped tube receiving section tothe circumferential outer side of the tube clamp 16. Saidcircumferential side protrusion 31 is adapted to be received by thecircumferential recess 30 formed on the outer circumferential surfaceside of the wall sections defining the tube guiding channels 27 a. Inaddition, the tube clamp 16 has in radial inner direction with respectto the axial protrusion 32, a round-shaped edge between the front edgefacing the abutment surface 29 and the radial inner edge on the bottomsurface of the tube guiding channel 27 a. The round shaped edge allows atiltable insertion of the tube clamp 16 into the tube guiding channel 27a, wherein the axial protrusions 32 are first inserted into the assignedrecesses 40 and then the engaging pawls 33 are clamped into the assignedvertical recesses 34.

By inserting at least one tube clamp 16 into the tube guiding channel 27a, the tube 14 is axially fixed at least in one axial direction by theabutment surface 29 cooperating with the front edge of the tube clamp 16from which the axial protrusion 32 projects in combination with acooperation of the vertical recess 34 receiving the engaging pawls 33.By inserting two identical tube clamps 16 in said tube guiding channel27 a in an opposed manner as shown in FIG. 6, the tube 14 is axiallyfixed along opposing axial directions. Furthermore, an axial fixation ofthe tube 14 in said tube guiding channel 27 a, is further obtained bythe cooperation of the circumferential side protrusion 31 received bythe circumferential recess 30. The radial fixation of said tube 14 isachieved by the axial protrusion 32 inserted into the recess 40 and bythe engaging pawls 33 received by the vertical recess portions 34.

Based on such fixation, the tube 14 can be reliably aligned and heldwith its tube end in the sealing section 22 provided between the gelinner ring 7 and the gel outer ring 6, 10 a as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a further housing 100 receiving two gel sealingdevices according to the preferred embodiment as described above. As amatter of course, the further housing 100 can be adapted to receivedifferent gel sealing devices. Said further housing 100 comprises atubular upper housing body 101 providing a common cable organizing areafor the cables guided and sealed by the gel sealing devices, whereinsaid cable organizing area is provided between openings formed at theaxial end sides of the upper housing body 101. Each axial end side ofthe upper housing body 101 is connectable to a lower housing body 102 ina similar manner as described with respect to the upper housing body 2and the lower housing body 3 of the above-described housing 1.Particularly, the lower housing body 102 which receives the gel sealingdevice and the assigned end side of the upper housing body 101 arebasically configured in a corresponding manner as the lower and upperhousing bodies 3, 2 of the above housing 1, wherein the gel sealingdevice is retained in each lower housing body 102 in axial directionthereof.

A method of inserting the main cable 13 and the tubes 14 in the housing1 according to the above preferred embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described. In case the housing 1 is pre-assembled as shownin FIG. 1A, the upper housing body 2 is removed from the lower housingbody 3 which is then moved to the lower side to expose the gel sealingblock 5. The main cable 13 and the tubes 14 to be installed in the gelsealing block 5 are inserted through the passage of the lower housingbody 3. To facilitate the installation, the sealing section 22 providedbetween the gel inner ring 7 and the gel outer ring 6, 10 a isaccessibly exposed by a rotational movement of the rod 17 in onecircumferential direction corresponding to the releasing direction,wherein the upper flange 11 moves to the upper side, i.e. away from thelower flange 12, thereby decompressing the gel inner ring 7 with respectto the gel outer ring 6, 10 a. By said axial movement of the upperflange 11 away from the lower flange 12, the fixation of the upper andlower first ring segments 10 b, 10 c with the second circumferentialsegment 10 a sandwiched therebetween is released. Particularly, the pinreceiving hole 39 and the pin 37 are separated from each other. Thus,the upper and lower first ring segments 10 b, 10 c with the secondcircumferential segment 10 a can be removed from the gel sealing block5. Said release can be performed with or without releasing the upper andlower second ring segments 8, 9 sandwiching the first circumferentialsegment 6. Then, the main cable 13 is inserted from the radial outerside of the gel sealing block 5 into the passageway 23 and the cableguiding channel 27 b provided with the upper flange 11, the lower flange12 and the cable and tube alignment and supporting means 15. Ifnecessary, the main cable 13 can be looped in the organizing area andguided back through the gel sealing block 5 to an outside of the housing1. After insertion of the main cable 13 in the gel sealing block 5, theupper and lower first ring segments 10 b, 10 c with the secondcircumferential segment 10 a are mounted onto the gel sealing block 5 byinserting the pin 37 into the pin receiving hole 39 and by moving theupper and lower flanges 11, 12 towards each other.

The insertion of the tube 14 can be performed in parallel with theinsertion of the main cable 13 or separately thereto. Alternatively, orin addition to the release of the second circumferential segment 10 afor exposing the sealing section 22, the upper and lower second ringsegments 8, 9 with the first circumferential segment 6 sandwichedtherebetween are hinged away from the gel sealing block 5 in a securedstate of the upper and lower second ring segments 8, 9. The tube 14 isinserted from the radial outer side onto the gel sealing block 5 in sucha manner that the tube end is placed in the groove onto the gel innerring 7 in the sealing section 22. The tube end is aligned with respectto an inner end side of the groove forming with the assigned groove ofthe gel outer ring 6, 10 a the termination 49. Further, the tube 14 isinserted in the tube guiding channel 27 a and fixed thereto by tubeclamps 16. In case the cable is not guided through the tube 14 towardthe upper side of the gel sealing block 5, a cable dummy 20 can beintroduced into said tube end from the axial upper side, wherein anupper part of the cable dummy 20 is held by the fixation member holder18. Alternatively, the tube end can be closed by a tube end cap. In theevent that a cable is guided through the tube 14 to the upper side ofthe gel sealing block 5, the cable is spliced with an assigned cableguided by the main cable 13, wherein the splicing is stored in the cableorganizing area. If a splicing of the cable guided by the tube 14 shouldnot be performed at this time of cable installation, the cable guided bythe tube 14 can be fixed to a fixation member 19 which can be mounted onthe fixation member holder 18. Thereby, if a splicing of said cable withthe main cable 13 shall be performed at a later date, the upper housingbody 2 merely needs to be removed from the housing 1 to provide anaccess to the free end of the cable held by the fixation member holder18.

After performing the insertion of the cable 13 and/or the tube 14, thesealing sections comprising the cable 13 and the tube 14 are sealed byassembling the respective circumferential segments 6, 10 a to the gelsealing block 5. The rod 17 is turned in circumferential directioncorresponding to a mounting direction, wherein the upper flange 11 movestowards the lower flange 12, for fixing the gel outer ring 6, 10 a withthe upper and lower rings 8, 10 b; 9, 10 c. Prior or subsequent thereto,the gel sealing device is inserted into the passage of the lower housingbody 3. In case, the gel sealing device is inserted after rotating therod 17, the rod 17 is further rotated in the mounting direction forfurther compressing the gel inner ring 7 and gel outer ring 6, 10 a,such that the outer circumference of the gel outer ring 6, 10 a ispressed against the inner circumference of the lower housing body 3 toobtain the sealing. Then, the fixation member holder 18 with the loopsection holder 4 is installed on the upper section of the lower housingbody 3 by rotationally aligning the fixation member holder 18 due to theelongated protrusions 18 c formed with the fixation member holder 18 andthe recesses provided at the inner circumferential side of the uppersection of the lower housing body 3. Then, the rod 17 can be furtherrotated in the mounting direction in case of need for furthercompressing the gel inner ring 7 and the gel outer ring 6, 10 a, therebyfurther pressing the gel sealing material in the radial outer directiontowards the inner circumferential surface of the lower section of thelower housing body 3 for obtaining a reliable sealing. The upper housingbody 2 is fixed to the lower housing body 3 at least after installingthe loop section holder 4.

1. A telecommunications closure comprising: a housing including an upperhousing body having an open end and an opposite closed end, the housingalso including a lower housing body that releasably connects to the openend of the upper housing body, the lower housing body defining a hollowsleeve including an interior circumferential surface defining a passagein communication with an interior of the upper housing body; and a gelsealing device that mounts within the passage of the hollow sleeve, thegel sealing device defining a central axis that extends through thepassage when the gel sealing device is mounted within the hollow sleeve,the gel sealing device including an upper flange and a lower flange witha support section disposed axially therebetween, the support sectionincluding a support ring that projects axially from either the upperflange or the lower flange, the gel sealing device including a sealingsection defining cable ports that extend along the central axis, thecable ports being configured for receiving cables and for forming sealsabout the cables, the sealing section including a gel ring that definesthe cable ports, the gel ring being supported on the support ring andincluding an outer circumferential surface that forms an outercircumferential seal with the interior circumferential surface of thehollow sleeve and an inner circumferential surface that forms an innercircumferential seal with an outer circumferential surface of thesupport ring, the gel ring being positioned axially between the upperflange and the lower flange, the gel sealing device further including anactuator that when actuated causes the upper and lower flanges topressurize the gel ring therebetween, the actuator including a tensionmember that extends axially through an interior of the support ring. 2.The telecommunications closure of claim 1, wherein the tension memberincludes screw threads.
 3. The telecommunications closure of claim 2,wherein the tension member extends along the central axis and extends atleast partially through the lower flange, and wherein the tension memberis coupled to the upper flange.
 4. The telecommunications closure ofclaim 1, wherein the support ring is provided with the lower flange andprojects upwardly from the lower flange.
 5. The telecommunicationclosure of claim 4, wherein the upper flange includes a recess forreceiving an upper end of the support ring.
 6. The telecommunicationsclosure of claim 1, wherein the support ring is formed with one of theupper flange and the lower flange, and wherein the other of the upperflange and the lower flange defines a recess for receiving a free end ofthe support ring.
 7. The telecommunications closure of claim 1, whereinthe gel ring includes an inner gel ring that is supported on the supportring and that includes the inner circumferential surface that forms theinner circumferential seal with the outer circumferential surface of thesupport ring, and wherein the gel ring also includes an outer gel ringthat circumferentially surrounds the inner gel ring and that includesthe outer circumferential surface that forms the outer circumferentialseal with the interior circumferential surface of the hollow sleeve. 8.The telecommunications closure of claim 1, wherein gel ring includes afirst circumferential segment and at least one second circumferentialsegment which is adapted to be detachable from the first circumferentialsegment to provide a separate accessible sealing section.
 9. Thetelecommunications closure of claim 8, wherein the first and secondcircumferential segments are axially sandwiched between upper and lowercontainment rings, the upper containment ring including first and secondupper containment ring segments respectively corresponding to the firstand second circumferential segments, the lower containment ringincluding first and second lower containment ring segments respectivelycorresponding to the first and second circumferential segments, thesecond upper and lower containment ring segments being respectivelyattached to upper and lower sides of the second circumferential segment,and the second upper and lower containment ring segments beingreleasably securable to the upper and lower flanges, respectively 10.The telecommunications closure of claim 9, wherein the upper containmentring has a downwardly extending outer rim that covers a part of theouter circumferential surface of the gel ring, wherein the lowercontainment ring has an upwardly extending outer rim that covers a partof the outer circumferential surface of the gel ring, and wherein anaxial mid-portion of the outer circumferential surface of the gel ringis not covered by either the upwardly extending outer rim or thedownwardly extending outer rim and is configured to form the outercircumferential seal with the interior circumferential surface of thehollow sleeve.
 11. The telecommunications closure of claim 1, whereinthe lower flange is disc-shaped and comprises a plurality of recesses atits outer circumference for exposing lower axial ends of the cableports.
 12. The telecommunications closure of claim 1, wherein therecesses are open to a radial outer side of the lower flange.
 13. Atelecommunications closure comprising: a housing a passage for accessingan interior of the housing, the passage being defined by an interiorsurface of the housing; and a gel sealing device that mounts within thepassage of the housing the gel sealing device defining a central axisthat extends through the passage when the gel sealing device is mountedwithin the passage, the gel sealing device including an upper gelpressurization component and a lower gel pressurization component with asupport section disposed axially therebetween, the support sectionincluding a support ring that projects axially from either the upper gelpressurization component or the lower gel pressurization component, thegel sealing device including a sealing section defining cable ports thatextend along the central axis, the cable ports being configured forreceiving cables and for forming seals about the cables, the sealingsection including a gel ring that defines the cable ports, the gel ringbeing supported on the support ring and including an outer surface thatforms an outer seal with the interior surface of the housing and aninner surface that forms an inner seal with an outer surface of thesupport ring, the gel ring being positioned axially between the uppergel pressurization component and the lower gel pressurization component,the gel sealing device further including an actuator that when actuatedcauses the upper and lower gel pressurization components to pressurizethe gel ring therebetween, the actuator including a tension membercoupled to the upper gel pressurization component, the tension memberextending axially through an interior of the support ring.
 14. Thetelecommunications closure of claim 13, wherein the tension memberincludes screw threads.
 15. The telecommunications closure of claim 13,wherein the support ring is provided with the lower flange and projectsupwardly from the lower gel pressurization component.
 16. Thetelecommunication closure of claim 15, wherein the upper gelpressurization component includes a recess for receiving an upper end ofthe support ring.
 17. The telecommunications closure of claim 13,wherein the support ring is formed with one of the upper gelpressurization component and the lower gel pressurization component, andwherein the other of the upper gel pressurization component and thelower gel pressurization component defines a recess for receiving a freeend of the support ring.
 18. The telecommunications closure of claim 1,wherein the gel ring includes an inner gel ring that is supported on thesupport ring and that includes the inner surface that forms the innerseal with the outer surface of the support ring, and wherein the gelring also includes an outer gel ring that surrounds the inner gel ringand that includes the outer surface that forms the outer seal with theinterior surface of the housing.
 19. The telecommunications closure ofclaim 13, wherein gel ring includes a first gel ring segment and atleast one second gel ring segment which is adapted to be detachable fromthe first gel ring segment to provide a separate accessible sealingsection.
 20. The telecommunications closure of claim 19, wherein thefirst and second gel ring segments are axially sandwiched between upperand lower containment rings, the upper containment ring including firstand second upper containment ring segments respectively corresponding tothe first and second gel ring segments, the lower containment ringincluding first and second lower containment ring segments respectivelycorresponding to the first and second gel ring segments, the secondupper and lower containment ring segments being respectively attached toupper and lower sides of the second gel ring segment, and the secondupper and lower containment ring segments being releasably securable tothe upper and lower gel pressurization components, respectively
 21. Thetelecommunications closure of claim 13, wherein the lower pressurizationcomponent is disc-shaped and comprises a plurality of recesses at itsouter circumference for exposing lower axial ends of the cable ports,wherein the recesses are open to a radial outer side of the lowerflange.
 22. A telecommunications closure comprising: a housing a passagefor accessing an interior of the housing, the passage being defined byan interior surface of the housing; and a gel sealing device that mountswithin the passage of the housing the gel sealing device defining acentral axis that extends through the passage when the gel sealingdevice is mounted within the passage, the gel sealing device includingan upper flange and a lower flange with a support section disposedaxially therebetween, the support section including a support ring thatprojects axially from either the upper flange or the lower flange, thegel sealing device including a sealing section defining cable ports thatextend along the central axis, the cable ports being configured forreceiving cables and for forming seals about the cables, the sealingsection including a gel ring that defines the cable ports, the gel ringbeing supported on the support ring and including an outer surface thatforms an outer seal with the interior surface of the housing and aninner surface that forms an inner seal with an outer surface of thesupport ring, the gel ring being positioned axially between the upperflange and the lower flange, the gel sealing device further including anactuator that when actuated causes the upper and lower flanges topressurize the gel ring therebetween, the actuator including a tensionmember coupled to the upper flange, the tension member extending axiallythrough an interior of the support ring; wherein gel ring includes afirst gel ring segment and at least one second gel ring segment which isadapted to be detachable from the first gel ring segment to provide aseparate accessible sealing section; wherein the first and second gelring segments are axially sandwiched between upper and lower containmentrings, the upper containment ring including first and second uppercontainment ring segments respectively corresponding to the first andsecond gel ring segments, the lower containment ring including first andsecond lower containment ring segments respectively corresponding to thefirst and second gel ring segments, the second upper and lowercontainment ring segments being respectively attached to upper and lowersides of the second gel ring segment, and the second upper and lowercontainment ring segments being releasably securable to the upper andlower flanges, respectively; and wherein the upper containment ring hasa downwardly extending outer rim that covers a part of the outer surfaceof the gel ring, wherein the lower containment ring has an upwardlyextending outer rim that covers a part of the outer surface of the gelring, and wherein an axial mid-portion of the outer surface of the gelring is not covered by either the upwardly extending outer rim or thedownwardly extending outer rim and is configured to form the outer sealwith the interior surface of the housing.
 23. The telecommunicationsclosure of claim 22, wherein the downwardly extending outer rim includesa first downwardly extending rim segment correspond to the first gelring segment and a second downwardly extending rim segment correspondingto the second gel ring segment, and wherein the upwardly extending outerrim includes a first upwardly extending rim segment correspond to thefirst gel ring segment and a second upwardly extending rim segmentcorresponding to the second gel ring segment.
 24. The telecommunicationsclosure of claim 22, wherein the lower flange is disc-shaped andcomprises a plurality of recesses at its outer circumference throughwhich the cable can extend, wherein the recesses are open to a radialouter side of the lower flange.
 25. The telecommunications closure ofclaim 22, wherein the tension member includes screw threads.
 25. Thetelecommunications closure of claim 22, wherein the tension memberincludes screw threads.